Kate Middleton channels Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth in iconic new photo blowing royal fans away

Kate Middleton has channelled Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth in her utterly gorgeous new 40th birthday portraits and royal fans couldn't help but notice. 

• Kate Middleton has sent fans into a frenzy over her Queen-like portraits released to mark her 40th birthday.
• The Duchess of Cambridge has been likened to Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth following the release of the images taken in honour of her milestone day.
• This royal news (opens in new tab) comes after it was revealed that Kate Middleton ditched one big beauty mistake to look younger and it’s so easy to copy (opens in new tab).

Kate Middleton (opens in new tab) has shown signs that she is preparing to become Queen, with royal fans likening her 40th birthday portraits to Queen Victoria.

The Duchess of Cambridge, who is mum to Prince George (opens in new tab), eight, Princess Charlotte, six, and Prince Louis, three, has dropped the biggest hint that she is preparing to become Queen Consort when husband Prince William takes the throne in coming years.

William is second in the royal line of succession and will ascend the throne after his father, Prince Charles, ends his reign—and Kate's 40th birthday portraits indicate just how regal the Duchess and future Queen is.

Fans of the Duchess are blown away by how elegant Kate looks in a set of portrait images released to mark her 4oth birthday on Sunday and both fans and experts have likened Kate Middleton to both Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

Taking to the comment section on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Instagram account, one royal supporter penned, "I don't know why but it reminds me of Queen Victoria."

Another put, "Agree - the colour? Thought exact same."

And a third fan added, "I thought the exact same thing. Seems very old-fashioned."

A behavioural expert has also highlighted just how much the portraits express Kate's readiness to be Queen and her utterly regal demeanour, mimicking strong poses struck by Queen Elizabeth II and monarchs of the past.

Body language pro Darren Stanton told Goodto (on behalf of BeMyBet (opens in new tab)), "What better way to introduce Kate into this role than using the Queen's popularity as a slipstream – and giving the Duchess' image a regal revamp. "

"In portraits from the weekend for her 40th birthday, her posture and facial expression ooze elegance and poise. The angles of her shots resemble some of the Queen's portraits from in her 40s and 50s - leant forward, confident and powerful poses.

"There is a very definite PR campaign by the Royal Family and the portraits are just another step towards the couple ascending to their ultimate role as King and Queen Consort."

Meanwhile, Lucy Beresford, psychotherapist and broadcaster, explains what message Kate's cream portrait is putting across, "The portraits are beautiful but the cream one is formal and regal in tone, which suggests it is about putting an image across that she will be our future Queen in some sense."

And if you're wondering where you might have seen the style of side portrait before, it's just like the one of the Queen that features on stamps or coins in England.

"The side angle does indeed hint at the kinds of images one gets on currency and coins," Lucy adds.

Meanwhile, Kate wears a pop of colour in one of the images, supposedly offering an insight into her playful and down to earth side that she is so loved for.

She said, "The red one, where she is smiling, shows the warm and fun Kate we know of old, and the red is dramatic and lively, which contrast well with the formality of the other two shots."

The three new portraits which have been released to mark the occasion will be shown in the community in three meaningful places: Berkshire, St Andrews, and Anglesey, as part of the National Portrait Gallery nationwide ‘Coming Home’ exhibition, ahead of the Gallery reopening in 2023.

Lucy added, "The dresses too, seem to have been chosen to show fluidity and naturalness, so even though they are designer and therefore expensive, Kate's warmth and relatability still shine through."